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Post by eapentertainment on Jul 9, 2016 10:51:15 GMT -6
How great is this compared to the Apollo?
Reason asking; I'm going to purchase or looking to purchase 2 of them for my Apollo 16mk2 because I gave a very close friend of mine my Steinberg MR CSX, & my Focusrite Octopre & I'm looking to purchase some preamps to go with both of my Apollo's 8 & 16. My budget is between $750-1200..
So help me out pretty please with what is my best option.
I record all live instruments (contemporary jazz, neo-soul, r&b & gospel)..
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Post by ChaseUTB on Jul 9, 2016 15:04:35 GMT -6
I have used the original 8024 audient console pres and cut some great drums, when admittedly is was one of my first rodeos! Also, have used it to record bass, and used it to record guitars! The pres for me at the time were great coming from an m box and the Eq on the console was awesome... Hard to make a good capture sound bad! I also recorded several vox from many singer/ rapper/ crooner, and I never thought oh wow this ain't a neve 1073, this won't cut it, lol. Not to say that I wouldn't have chosen the audient over the 1073  I assume the pres have gone through some type of upgrade since then, so I imagine they are better now but I am guessing. I feel like audient would be your best buy out of the two! |
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Post by bricejchandler on Jul 13, 2016 1:58:40 GMT -6
I haven't used the Presonus so I can only comment on the Audient. I used to own the 8024 console and currently use two asp880s for location work and I love them.
They're solid, reliable, they sound good and the HP filters come in really handy, particularly if like me you record a lot of full live bands.
Do they sound as good as a Neve? Probably not, they're a lot cleaner but they do have a sound.
Ultimately I'm thinking about getting a full 16 track 500 series mobile rack but we're talking about AT THE VERY LEAST 6 times the price of two ASP880s and that's without conversion. For the price I really feel like you can't beat the ASP880s, I've compared them directly to the apollo pres and like the Audient a lot more.
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Post by Guitar on Jul 13, 2016 7:44:56 GMT -6
I use an Apollo silver, and a Presonus DP88.
The Presonus is spectacular. Easily sounds better than the Apollo. It's one of my favorite pieces of gear. I love the feature set. Everything is on DB25 connectors so setup is super easy with the right snakes. I love the front panel, and the minimal/smart control set.
Another thing you are getting ahead of the Audient, which is huge, is 8 Burr Brown DAC outputs. I use these to feed a summing mixer. The Audient is inputs only, no DACs.
The Audient preamp is not something I really get terribly excited about. I use outboard pres anyway. So Presonus, all the way, for me.
Speaking of preamps, I don't think the ASP800 can bypass the mic pres and go straight to ADC. The DP88 can, it actually has separate input jacks for this. So that is a huge flaw for the Audient ASP800 if you are wanting to use your external mic preamps.
The DP88 just offers a lot more in the way of things I want. The ASP800 offers extra stuff I'm actually not interested in, and lacks some of the features of the DP88.
Hope that helps.
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Post by kilroyrock on Jul 13, 2016 8:33:44 GMT -6
I think the DP88 having AD and DA, plus the raving reviews from everyone who owns one would put that dp88 as the winner for me hands down. You can use it as a line in device with any rack pre's, but also use it to send and return any rack units or re-amping through great converters. Audient is good too, but no DA!
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Post by bricejchandler on Jul 13, 2016 9:08:43 GMT -6
I'm not sure about the ASP800, but on the 880 you can bypass the pres.
Ultimately it really comes down to what you need...I assume they're probably very similar in quality.
I personally wanted a unit that I could use without a computer, and the hipass filters are a big deal for me.
If you need extra DAC , then it's a no brainer, get the Presonus.
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Post by Guitar on Jul 13, 2016 11:05:01 GMT -6
I'm not sure about the ASP800, but on the 880 you can bypass the pres. That's right, the 880 can, but the 800 cannot. The line inputs are on XLR/TRS combi jacks and feed through the mic preamps, in the ASP800. |
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Post by eapentertainment on Jul 13, 2016 14:24:04 GMT -6
Thanks everyone for all the input.. I'm not really looking to bypass any mic-pres because it's going to go straight through my Apollo 16 (mk2) & I also have the Apollo 8 (quad blackface) in which I can use my Unison mic pre's along with my Apollo Twin mic pre's.. Like I've stated I record all live instruments (musicians) nothing sampled so I just want the best quality that I can get with my price range of $750-$1200.. And from all of you with wonderful input it seems that I will not go wrong with either choice of Audient ASP800 or Presonus DP88...
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,976 
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Post by ericn on Jul 15, 2016 20:48:43 GMT -6
I am an Audient fan ( hey in the land of purple I'm DDAgeek) but let me throw a curveball the blacklion modded ADA8000 is still my favorite cheap mic pre converter other than the RAMSA WZAD96M if you can find one !
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I assume the pres have gone through some type of upgrade since then, so I imagine they are better now but I am guessing. I feel like audient would be your best buy out of the two! 
